Alternates are second-year students Jose Campos from Granbury and Hunter Thompson
of Leander.

Joshua Anderson, the team’s coach, said the goal of the tryout process is to choose
the best individuals to represent the university. Auditions consist of a preliminary
and final round. Students had the opportunity to show their sideline talent, such
as tumbling and stunts, as well as a pep rally performance in prelims and an interview
in finals.

“This is by far the most talent and interest I’ve seen,” Anderson said. “My first
year here we had to convince guys to try out, and every male trying out made the team.
This year we had more than 30 men at the tryout, making it one of the most prestigious
and difficult auditions in the nation.”

Anderson just completed his fifth year as cheer coach, with the team’s national rankings
rising steadily at 5th, 5th, 3rd, 3rd, and most recently 2nd, with two years going
into the final round in 1st place.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.